Multiple minke whales have been spotted lunge feeding off Scotland’s west coast, which is a rare sight in UK waters.
The footage was captured by those onboard the Hebrides Cruises’ vessel Lucy Mary in an area known as The Minch, a rich marine corridor between the Outer Hebrides and the mainland.
Lunge feeding is a hunting technique used by baleen whales. The whale accelerates towards a dense patch of prey with its mouth wide open, engulfing a huge volume of water and fish.
The video shows the whale surging through the water, surfacing with its jaw extended, a classic lunge.
James Fairbairns, Skipper, Hebrides Cruises, said: “While minke whales are one of the most regularly seen baleen whale species in The Minch during the summer months, witnessing lunge feeding behaviour is relatively rare.
“We might encounter feeding whales a handful of times in a season, but seeing a clear, sustained lunge feeding event, as in this footage, is a real highlight.
“This year, there have been a few isolated sightings, but this was one of the most dramatic displays we’ve witnessed.”
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